Can we finally put Reel to Reel out of its misery? Put it to rest people.
The format is dying and too expensive to repair properly. Heads wear out so easy and many out there are all worn. High quality technicians are either retired or long gone. Its such an inconvenient format that can be equalled by nakamichi easily in tape decks. Retire it please put them in museums.
Vinnny, I have never been out of the R2R game. I recall my first reel that I purchased from Tipton appliance in the early 70's; they had a room with nothing but R2R decks lining the walls; Pioneer, Crown, AKAI, Sony, TEAC; many different models of each brand, all brand new and looking so beautiful; I purchased an AKAI that was a combination 7 inch reel, 8 track, and cassette deck. Naturally it was a lot of fun, but hard to get replacement parts.
Parts and repairs are no problem when you stick to the main stream names and models.
But if you got in that might make the hobby crowded, so please stay out.
I will grant you that SOME parts for SOME machines especially the more obscure brands and models can be hard to find and yes likely some cannot be repaired economicaly at this stage.
However there is a great aftermarket support for a lot of machines, check out the Swiss ads on eBay for Revox units and parts, heck I bought a complete overhauled Revox b77 hs machine from a Swiss seller shipped to the USA for less than 1k all in.
And yes finding a GOOD r2r tech is a little more challenging but not impossible but be prepared for a wait as obviously the good ones are very busy.
Dead as is no interest or support is not truly the case, a more niche market for sure but still very much alive and kicking albeit to a special type of enthusiast, it is certainly not plug and play like CD.
I have to add to this conversation, yes many high line MFG PUT OUT A GREAT CASSETTE PRODUCT, BUT R2R 1/4 and 1/2 inch tape will always reproduce a top quality reproduction that cassette could not
Not denigrating it but i just feel its a dead end format because the good techs and original critical parts are impossible to find like special heads, motors, mechanisms, high grade audio tape and so on. True R2R Techs are the hardest to find and when you do they are handcuffed by no available original parts.
As I stated many moons ago Vinny, I do NOT rpt NOT call myself an " audiophile". Never have and never will simply because what truly constitutes an " audiophile" is still an area of huge debate.
I enjoy music reproduction and have many forms of media to that end.
Fortunately I do NOT have a working 8 track or any tapes for it. Or Elcaset or DAT tape or minidisc.
Do have and regularly use; Vinyl, cassette, R2R, CD, SACD, BluRay, Streaming.
All have their plus and minus aspects.
If you do not care for R2R yourself that is just peachy but you should avoid denigrating those who do.
My refurbished Sony tube RTR is a quite fine sounding machine - especially with the original 7.5 tapes I have purchased! Oh, and I also have on hand a TEAC and a Pioneer to play with!
I just rebuilt a wollensak 8075 cruel format , but I love that format and my wife and I play our treasured collections, her system is a Dynaco stereo 416 I just rebuilt, Dyanco PAS 4 just upgraded all tubes and caps. VPI prime TURNTABLE JOLIDA 100 CD player and Klipcsh Reference RP- 8060FA speakers..
So many gave up on the turntable when the CD format arrived look now a true audiophile brings back that format and look at how many old and new MFGS ARE thriving.. tubes another Format was almost gone when the transistor arrived...again a industry that is going strong.. i will never insist anyone to change there preference of equipment but bring your favorite LP, TAPE, DAC, DIGITAL FORMAT AND SIT DOWN AND A/B tube and transistor . I’ve owned quite a few high line transistor amps / preamps . But I just love that sound a-tube producers A TEAC 10R R/R my VPI TURNTABLE.. and yes I do own a CD player and it’s a jolida 100 ( 3 12AX7, 3 12At7. Tubes it’s heaven
I remember when everyone said record albums were obsolete. Same time when CDs were going to replace them. The only format I would say is dead is 8-track. My player ate all my tapes...eventually.
I doubt anyone with a Stellavox or Studer, first, needs parts except possibly heads, and second, would part with it for less than several thousand dollars at least. Of course, I could have mentioned Nagra if I knew someone wanted to buy one, but you can go to ebay or whatever if you wish to buy an analog R2R. I don't have the available funds, personally. You can send it back to Nagra for a complete refresh using original parts as well.
Today they are surviving very well with high-end digital, but that's another story and involves actually producing products that are capable of high quality digital recording AND they have analog inputs as well to use on film sets, etc. I am certain that Foley people have many historical sounds on analog tape in their libraries that they still use.
When the OP posted that this format was dead--obviously just a troll trying to stir up whatever--I was motivated to remind audiophiles that many of the "live" recordings they love so much and almost all first-tier films were done on these analog machines, to their great credit and sound quality.
Regarding musicians and digital, sure it is easier. It is also easier to eat at McDonalds than to cook your own food. Choices, choices...
I have nothing against reel-to-reel decks but if every manufacturer abandoned it, it is hard to understand why many claim it is a thriving format.
There are people who can restore artefacts from many centuries ago so having an occasional technician who is willing to work on a tape deck hardly shows significant viability.
Having said that, I am not sure why OP calls for reel-to-reel annihilation. Let people have fun with their toys as long as they can.
By the way, both of your above links brought me to the same webpage.
A little paranoia may be healthy, but seeing a fox where there is none may be a sign to be concerned about. Double the morning dose. Leave the evening dose unchanged for now.
"
Does any of those manufacturers still make parts or has servicing somehow organized? " - I would doubt it, however there are businesses that do rebuild them, here is a sample:
I just purchased my first reel to reel player last December. Best addition to my system ever!
A good tape beats any other medium I have heard...and I’m a very critical kinda guy and have tried em all except MQA.
Tape is not as romantic and glossy as vinyl, nor is it the clean ridged re-representation that is often digital. It is just so freakin ‘natural’ sounding! When you hear it it’s like “Oh. That’s what it’s supposed to sound like.” Great contrast and cohesion. What comes off of a good tape sounds alive!
Even albums I used to think were just recorded badly sound ‘right’ on tape. Aqualung is a good example.
I hope this format isn’t on its way out. It’s a shame more people can’t hear how good it sounds.
Shaft on SACD vs Shaft on tape...the tape is just so much more fun! Again it just feels more alive (not live). And it’s really nice to hear panned left and right bass instead of summed to center like it is on vinyl.
If you are ever in Burbank CA you are welcomed to stop by for a listen. :-)
Here is a list of manufacturers, while none that I know of are currently making new ones, there are many available as are the parts, rebuild and techs that service them..
I own a teac 10R it’s a beautiful machine it’s plays and sounds so realistic,THAT a Digital computer can’t come close to reproduce you can play ur digital music. Box 01 01 01 that’s not a natural sound and-getting those R2R machines repaired AND GETTING PARTS isn't that hard teac has a repair and parts department in northern NJ , and it won’t break ur bank book And tubes I love the sound that sound they reproduce I will stay with analog equipment AND you keep your 01 01 01
R2R tapes I've seen advertised on audiophile web sites are priced far beyond my budget. Aside from that, I wish I hadn't abandoned the format. There was always something seductive about watching those reels spin...
I just added myself to the legion of R2R enthusiasts today. Bought a mint condition TEAC A-3300SX. Just need to track down some new production 10.5” tapes, calibration tape and demagnetizer. This will go great with my dbx 224 type II noise reduction unit and Technics SL-1700mk2 turntable. Gonna have some big fun!
IME, R2R is the best sounding format, but the price of entry has become prohibitive for most as software cost, maintenance, and access to quality machines have skyrocketed over years. IMHO R2R is dead to the average consumer but it has nothing to do with performance, only cost.
I have the impression that in fact more and more people are getting interested in tape, both RTR and cassettes. This might be a fashion moment and might be not, too early to tell. As for recording studios, that's how you record if you want quality - you use tape and analog recorder. Double that for acoustic music. Digital is consumer mass market medium, it can be listenable but that's all. Instead of engaging in a futile task to make digital sound as analog, it would be better to invent better analog medium, better than tape.
ATR Magnetics in York, PA is making tape in most formats- cassette, 7" 1/4" reel to reel, 10.5" in reels or pancakes, and also 1/2" and 1" for those with studio machines. Their tapes are made to match 456 Grand Master so no need with most reel to reel machines to re-calibrate. https://www.atrtape.com/
Nortronics has long been a supplier of high quality replacement heads for a variety of consumer and studio machines: http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/ Its easy enough to find new cassette tape heads on ebay. Finding rubber parts is a bit trickier, although Russell Industries has a large selection of belts, tires and idlers that fit a good number of machines: http://russellind.com/
When I finish my house move I look forward to setting up my Pioneer SX-1050, Pioneer PL-630 and Teac A-2300S RtR. Can't wait for the 70s and 80s! The Teac did not get that much use so I am sure the heads have plenty of life left. Just need to get a reasonably priced cartridge.
"The only thing worse than being old is being old and alone."
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Given arthritic hands and bad eyes, thank goodness for CDs. Now, l'm living alone with a wonderful 2 channel HD stereo system.
I have a Teac X10-R and about 15 (remaining) Maxell dbx 224 type II recorded reels. At one point, I had about 40 reels but my Ampex reels deteriorated to the point where they were unplayable.
Back in the 80's, I used two Technics SL-1600 MK2 turntables and a Rodec mixer in my home "studio." I would spend months recording individual R&B and Jazz tracks to make a reel for my personal enjoyment. I recorded albums and selected songs from albums that you cannot find on any streaming source. I love vinyl, but it was so much easier to just play a reel of the songs I liked.
My vintage gear is over 30 years old and I've tried to maintain it in like new condition. No one's post is going to change my opinion of what I like or use. I'm 71, more than likely, my R2R will die with me. But until them, I will continue to play and enjoy a reel now and then.
Silly you. I’ll grant you it’s probably the not the best format for a modern audiophile. It is however a very useful tool in the recording studio. It’s far too fussy for someone who just wants to throw on a CD and sit back. I play 99% vinyl - easy- that R2R is fussy.For the most part you’ll have to make your own recordings from a good source. Ugh! The recorded tapes that are available are either outrageously expensive, have a poor selection of titles or are antiques. That’s why only professionals use R2R anymore, for the most part. Here’s how I use mine: Synthesizer >Studio mixer >digital recording program> Digital mixer > R2R > CDR/mp3 > sound cloud. Look for my first ever release “new day May” by Bentunderground on sound cloud now. It’s a thunderstorm. It sounds like crap on the phone. The R2R was critical in the recordings process as it enhances the soundstage and equalization for recording. Please read and understand more before making blanket (trolling?) statements like you made. There are many advocates of reel to reel on Audiogon - do a little research!
None of this is going anywhere. As long as people want to spend money on it, it will be around with the exception of wives. They just steal your money. On the other hand the only thing worse than being old is being old and alone.
@viridian tubes are way way way more plentiful than reel2reels decks parts heads. Tube amps and tubes have never stopped being made. Reel2Reels have been stopped for 40 years.
@viridian tubes are way way way more plentiful than reel2reels decks parts heads. Tube amps and tubes have never stopped being made. Reel2Reels have been stopped for 40 years.
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